Thank you for the motivation.

Direct to seller/motivated seller deals are usually not through an agent.

Bigger Pockets is an incredible resource.

I found motivated sellers from the notices of default in the local paper, wrote them letters and bought houses with seller financing. 

It could be marketing your interest to motivated homeowners via yellow letters, post cards, cold calling, whisper messages, door knocking, driving for dollars, etc.Whatever method you select, use it constantly and relentlessly.

You are looking for motivated sellers.

Excited to join this incredible community of real estate enthusiasts!

Just do your homework and call around.The legal and ethical requirements in selling your own property (whether you are listing it or not) are extremely heightened and everyone will hold you to an incredibly high level; that goes for flips or rentals.

Here's my take: you have an incredible income, plenty of investments, and you're not looking to replace your job at this moment. 

@Brooke Roundy as much as we'd like to assist another investor to succeed in our Detroit market, you're probably better off staying in the Cleveland market until you expand enough or decide to leave the Cleveland market.Also, be careful of posters here offering to assist you - many of them aren't transparent that their real motives are to sell you something!